The first finding of antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi in cows in Slovakia

The presence of antibodies against Encephalitozoon cuniculi in cows was obs erved by the method of indirect immunofluorescence (IFAT). The animals reac ting at the titre 1 :64 and more were considered positive. Of the total num ber of 55 sera examined, 20 were positive at the titre 1 : 64, from which f our were positive at the titre 1 : 256 also. Our results indicate that it i s very important to carry out screening examinations in large-scale breedin g of cattle due to the persistent high percentage of bovine abortions and d isorders in the reproductive cycle of unknown etiology. (C) 1999 Elsevier S cience B.V. All rights reserved.